open access

Vol 11, No 4 (2017)
Research paper
Published online: 2018-02-28
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An observational study of paracetamol (acetaminophen) deprescribing in patients with cancer pain receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain

Andrew N. Davies1, Joanna Vriens2, Katherine Webber1, Kabir Mohammed3
Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(4):133-137.
Affiliations
  1. Royal Surrey County Hospital, United Kingdom
  2. Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, United Kingdom
  3. Royal Marsden Hospital, United Kingdom

open access

Vol 11, No 4 (2017)
Research paper
Published online: 2018-02-28

Abstract

 Background. The objective of the study was to investigate the utility of deprescribing paracetamol in cancer patients receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain.

Material and methods. Patients with well-controlled cancer pain (average pain intensity ≤ 4/10), who were receiving regular paracetamol and an opioid for moderate-to-severe pain, completed the Brief Pain Inventory — Short Form at baseline and at seven days post discontinuation of the paracetamol (or sooner if restarting the paracetamol). The study employed a Simon optimal two-stage design with the aim of reducing the number of subjects exposed to a “futile” intervention.

Results. Forty-four patients were enrolled, and 40 patients completed the study. Eighteen (45%) patients restarted the paracetamol, although another four patients reported a worsening of pain control and/or an increase in the use of rescue medication. The only factor associated with restarting paracetamol was the pathophysiology of the pain, with patients with mixed pain more likely to restart paracetamol than patients with nociceptive pain (P = 0.013).

Conclusions. On the basis of these results we would recommend a trial of discontinuing paracetamol in all patients receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain, who are deemed to be adequately pain controlled. The patients can be reassured that there is approximately a one in two chance of not needing to restart the paracetamol, and that if they do need to start the paracetamol, pain control can be re-gained within a very short period of time.

Abstract

 Background. The objective of the study was to investigate the utility of deprescribing paracetamol in cancer patients receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain.

Material and methods. Patients with well-controlled cancer pain (average pain intensity ≤ 4/10), who were receiving regular paracetamol and an opioid for moderate-to-severe pain, completed the Brief Pain Inventory — Short Form at baseline and at seven days post discontinuation of the paracetamol (or sooner if restarting the paracetamol). The study employed a Simon optimal two-stage design with the aim of reducing the number of subjects exposed to a “futile” intervention.

Results. Forty-four patients were enrolled, and 40 patients completed the study. Eighteen (45%) patients restarted the paracetamol, although another four patients reported a worsening of pain control and/or an increase in the use of rescue medication. The only factor associated with restarting paracetamol was the pathophysiology of the pain, with patients with mixed pain more likely to restart paracetamol than patients with nociceptive pain (P = 0.013).

Conclusions. On the basis of these results we would recommend a trial of discontinuing paracetamol in all patients receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain, who are deemed to be adequately pain controlled. The patients can be reassured that there is approximately a one in two chance of not needing to restart the paracetamol, and that if they do need to start the paracetamol, pain control can be re-gained within a very short period of time.

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Keywords

paracetamol, acetaminophen, deprescribing, cancer pain, analgesics, opioid

About this article
Title

An observational study of paracetamol (acetaminophen) deprescribing in patients with cancer pain receiving opioids for moderate-to-severe pain

Journal

Palliative Medicine in Practice

Issue

Vol 11, No 4 (2017)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

133-137

Published online

2018-02-28

Page views

848

Article views/downloads

530

Bibliographic record

Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(4):133-137.

Keywords

paracetamol
acetaminophen
deprescribing
cancer pain
analgesics
opioid

Authors

Andrew N. Davies
Joanna Vriens
Katherine Webber
Kabir Mohammed

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